Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has reached progressively greater heights since its debut. This has helped expand the series’ scope, but it’s also introduced overwhelming villains and new tiers of heroic power, like the many different Super Saiyan transformations. The advent of Saiyan transformations has helped these characters continually surpass their limits and achieve the impossible. This is certainly exciting, but it leads to a degree of gatekeeping that shuts out Dragon Ball’s human characters from reaching the same accomplishments.
Human warriors – both heroes and villains alike – were the norm in the original Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyans, Namekians, and other dangerous alien & demon races have made it next to impossible for humans to stay relevant and shoulder the same level of heroic responsibilities. Humans may feel like a relic of Dragon Ball’s past, but there are still many powerful humans who are worthy of recognition and deserve praise.
10 General Blue Combines Military Training With Telekinetic Techniques
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 46, "Bulma's Bad Day"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 70, "Bulma's Big Mistake"
Some of the first true challenges Goku faces in the original Dragon Ball come from the tireless efforts of the Red Ribbon Army. This malevolent military organization launches their combined forces on Goku and friends in order to acquire the team’s Dragon Balls and obtain world domination. Many of Red Ribbon’s top-ranking soldiers are humans, but few are able to actually stop Goku in his tracks. General Blue is unique in the sense that he’s physically intimidating, completely ruthless, and possesses powerful psychic skills.
General Blue already benefits from weapons and combat training, but he can bulk up his body and become a burlier warrior when he needs an extra boost. Additionally, General Blue’s Psychic Eyes ability releases telekinetic waves that constrict his enemies and make them easy targets. General Blue needs to make eye contact with his opponent in order to successfully perform this attack, but it’s still highly advantageous and makes him an intimidating force of nature.
9 Olibu Is A Dead Fighter Who Impressed The Likes Of King Kai
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 196, "Tournament Begins"; Manga Debut: N/A
Dragon Ball Z’s Other World Tournament is a satisfying filler saga made up of five episodes that help bridge the series’ Cell and Buu Sagas. Goku engages in a martial arts competition with the strongest dead fighters from the four corners of the galaxy. Pikkon, the West Galaxy’s strongest fighter, is the Other World Tournament’s most memorable character and has made sporadic appearances in Dragon Ball Z movies and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. That said, Pikkon is not a human. Olibu, on the other hand, appears to be one of the Other World Tournament’s most significant human competitors.
Olibu is also from the North Galaxy, like Goku, which means that they don’t face each other in combat. However, King Kai singles Olibu out as one of the galaxy’s strongest. Olibu comes across like a Hercules stand-in. He has incredible physical strength, but he also possesses impressive ki control skills and he makes use of a homing energy attack. Filler material in Dragon Ball Z and Super Dragon Ball Heroes highlight that Olibu has no fear when it comes to taking on Buu and Golden Meta-Cooler, which further indicates his immense power.
8 Yamcha Is A Dedicated Martial Artist Who’s Recognized His Shortcomings
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 5, “Yamcha The Desert Bandit”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 7, "Yamcha And Pu'ar"
Yamcha gets credit for being the first real imposing opponent that Goku faces in Dragon Ball. Yamcha’s Wolf Fang Fist is an impressive attack and he further improves upon his martial arts arsenal once he trains under Master Roshi. Yamcha’s accomplishments are incredible and he proves to be reliable back-up support up to Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga. That being said, Yamcha has always come across as one of Goku’s weaker human allies.
Yamcha fails to make waves at the World Martial Arts Tournament in the same way that Tien, Master Roshi, or Krillin do. He’s also a rare case of a Dragon Ball character who decides to cut his losses and trade in his martial arts gi for a baseball uniform. Yamcha is still more powerful than most of Earth’s humans, but the fact that he no longer trains or continues to hone his skills puts him on the lower tier of characters. He’s not even recruited to help Universe 7 fight in the Tournament of Power.
7 Spopovich Is A Brutal Brawler Who Receives An Evil Upgrade
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 213, "Big Trouble, Little Trunks"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 244 (Dragon Ball Chapter 438), "The Finalists Are Chosen!"
Dragon Ball Z’s 25th World Martial Arts Tournament gets interrupted by Babidi’s evil plans to awaken Majin Buu and bring terror to the planet. Spopovich is supposedly an accomplished martial artist who previously made a strong impression at the 24th World Martial Arts Tournament against Hercule Satan. However, Spopovich – as well as his cohort, Yamu – have both succumbed to Babidi’s Majin influence and become ruthless warriors.
Spopovich looks genuinely terrifying and his muscles are practically bursting with power. His performance in battle becomes even more uncomfortable when he takes on Videl, a fellow human who’s less than half his size. Videl is powerful, but she’s thoroughly brutalized by Spopovich. This is really the audience’s only glimpse of Spopovich’s power, but it’s still enough for him to stand out. He’s already a strong fighter before he receives Babidi’s Majin power boost.
6 Mercenary Tao Is Red Ribbon’s Top Tier Assassin
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 58, "The Land Of Korin"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 85, "Taopaipai The Assassin"
Goku faces plenty of enemies before Mercenary Tao enters the series, but he ushers in with him a new breed of evil. Tao has no qualms with killing his opponents and his vicious execution of Bora, Upa’s dad, pushes Goku over the edge. Tao Pai Pai is the Red Ribbon Army’s trained assassin. He’s accomplished with a weapon, but also more than capable of taking down his targets with just his body. In fact, he’s so strong that he manages to murder General Blue by only using his tongue.
Mercenary Tao’s standard means of transportation is to chop down a tree and hurl the lumber in the air as he rides aboard it. He’s a highly exaggerated human character who nearly kills Goku during their first fight with his deadly Dodon Ray. He’s also able to withstand a Kamehameha blast at point-blank range. Goku’s training under Korin helps him hold his own against Tao and he defeats him through the convenient use of a grenade blast. The presumed-dead assassin returns during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament with deadly cybernetic upgrades and technologically advanced weapons that make him even more dangerous than he was before.
5 Chiaotzu Is An Enigmatic Individual Who Never Gives Up
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, "The Rampage Of InoShikaCho"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, "Return To The Tournament"
Chiaotzu and Tien get introduced at the same time and it’s a lot easier to focus on Tien’s more impressive accomplishments. That said, Chiaotzu is still a remarkable human – even if he doesn’t necessarily look like one – and he doesn’t let his past setbacks bring him down. Chiaotzu is introduced as one of Master Shen’s Crane School students and a potential rival for Krillin. Dragon Ball drops this angle pretty quickly and Tien continues to train and grow under Master Roshi’s tutelage.
Chiaotzu faces a crushing blow during Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga, like many of the series’ human warriors, but he deserves credit for not giving up. Chiaotzu has continued to train with Tien and has presumably only gotten stronger. Chiaotzu doesn’t participate in the Tournament of Power, but he does help take on Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade in Dragon Ball Super’s manga, which is no small feat.
4 Master Roshi Is A Legendary Martial Artist With Over A Century Of Combat Under His Belt
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 3, “The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi”; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 3, "Sea Monkeys"
Master Roshi may not be the best role model when it comes to certain compulsions and shortcomings, but there’s no denying that he’s one of Earth’s strongest humans. Most Dragon Ball characters would be lucky to be as powerful and dedicated as Roshi is once they’re 100 years old. Master Roshi is responsible for teaching Goku the Kamehameha and instilling martial arts fundamentals in individuals like Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, and Tien.
Many may discount Roshi due to his old age. His best days may be past him, but he still provides crucial support during the battles against Demon King Piccolo, Golden Frieza, and even the Tournament of Power. There’s even evidence to suggest that Roshi has sporadically accessed Autonomous Ultra Instinct, which further reflects his inherent skills as a fighter. Whether Master Roshi is in his standard state or his more intimidating Max Power form, he’s capable of defending himself.
3 Krillin Is A Humble, Heroic Human Who’s Accomplished Incredible Things
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 14, "Goku's Rival"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 25, "A Rival Arrives!!"
Krillin is one of Goku’s oldest and best friends, but he’s also an accomplished human fighter. Krillin has experienced a fascinating trajectory over the course of the franchise. He’s the only human who survives the Saiyan Saga’s battle against Nappa and Krillin does his part on Planet Namek against the Ginyu Force and Frieza, even if it costs him his life.
Krillin starts a family with android 18 and shifts towards serving and protecting as a police officer, rather than a martial artist. However, he still jumps into battle whenever he’s needed. Goku helps him get his groove back as they train together during the Tournament of Power. Krillin also contributes to the heroes’ assault on Cell Max during Goku and Vegeta’s absence. Krillin is proof that a steady domestic life and a loving family doesn’t have to be the end of one’s growth as a fighter.
2 Tien Fully Commits His Life To Martial Arts & The Pursuit Of Greater Strength
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 82, "The Rampage Of InoShikaCho"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 113, "Return To The Tournament"
Tien, despite his three eyes and occasionally four arms, isn’t one of Dragon Ball’s flasher characters. He’s consistently a character who’s focused on martial arts and he never turns his back on this, even when he disappears from Dragon Ball’s spotlight. Tien is a significant rival for Goku back in the original series and he even narrowly defeats Goku during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.
Tien is one of the few humans who’s able to give Cell pause, even if it’s in his Semi-Perfect form. He also survives Super Buu’s comprehensive Human Extinction Attack. Dragon Ball Super shows that Tien has started his own martial arts dojo and applied his skills and knowledge to helping other fighters grow. Tien becomes one of Universe 7’s most valuable human teammates in the Tournament of Power, but he also helps the heroes out against Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade. There’s still likely more greatness to come from Tien.
1 Uub Is Full Of Powerful Potential & Could Very Well Become Earth’s Strongest Fighter
Anime Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Episode 289, "Granddaughter Pan"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball Z, Chapter 324 (Dragon Ball Chapter 518), "10 Years After"
Dragon Ball Z concludes on a compelling note that many fans are still waiting to see the franchise follow through on. Goku’s innocent request to one day face Kid Buu again results in the villain’s reincarnation as a humble human boy, Uub. Goku quickly recognizes Uub’s phenomenal strength during the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament. This young boy is able to match Goku’s blows and the Saiyan is so impressed with his skills that he pledges to train him and turn him into Earth’s strongest fighter.
Dragon Ball GT features a glimpse of what’s possible for Uub after he’s thoroughly trained by Goku. Dragon Ball Super seems destined to push the character to even greater heights. Dragon Ball has only scratched the surface when it comes to Uub’s true strength, but any child who can make Goku sweat is guaranteed to be a truly powerful fighter.
